President_Shelton_Staff_Town

SAC will be holding its Annual Staff Town Hall in September. This is your chance to meet President Shelton and let your voice be heard.

These comments have already been received from this website:

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We just experienced an increase of over 50% on health insurance. Will this cost ever go down?

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There are a number of areas of lush green grass on campus, and I often see the irrigation system on, even at the worst possible times (mid-day). If this irrigation is done with gray water, that is fine. If not, how can the University justify the use of this precious resource of water, particularly in light of the fact we live in the desert? Thank you for answering this question.

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Are you planning to implement staff furloughs this semester? What about this Academic Year?

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What are the chances that the Transportation office will consider PRO-RATING parking fees based on % of hours worked? For instance, I only work 20 hours/week, so I believe I should only have to pay 50% of the total annual parking fee. The increases are putting a huge burden on me, and I'm sure many others who work part-time here. Thank you!

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Was there any thought that a classified staff member making under $40,000 is making up for the budget shortfall at the same rate as someone in a higher pay scale? Our benefits are the same, but frankly, we are being charged the same as someone making significantly more. It may seem like a relatively small increase, but for someone like me, the increase in monthly deduction and co-pays has virtually priced me out of certain benefits. I have a child with special needs. They always are seeing specialists, therapies, and meds. I am not at a qualifying level for DDD, so where does the middle class fall at this university? It seems disproportionate.

Also, the increase in Delta Dental has forced me to give up our dentists that we have had for 15 years to go to the HMO plan with very few dentists. Again, people making $60,000 + are not going to feel the increase, but I think most people under that will.

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With all the budget cuts and layoffs, why can't we cut the salaries of the CIO's and upper management and give the working people raises? Minimum wage has increased almost to the point of my wage, prices are skyrocketing. I work hard and my belt cannot get any tighter.

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A while ago, we had heard something about 4 day work weeks and 10 hour days. Is that still a possibility for the near future? And if so, how will people with children in child care get around the 10 hour daily maximum at most child care facilities?

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Has there been any talk about the huge increase in two years for Delta Dental coverage? In 2008, we enrolled at $54.00 per month. In 2009 $63.00 Now it goes up to $117 for the family plan. With the university cost at $13.00 and reimburses at 20% or at the most 50%.

For people in the lower salary ranges, this is virtually unaffordable. We have to give up the good dental care with dentists we have been at for over 15 years. My dentist said that they are losing many patients.

It does not effect people in the higher salary ranges. They may not even feel it, but I feel voiceless.

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I am a UofA South student. I was recently informed that I had to take a class on the UofA Main campus because the class is not offered at UofA South. Because of this ONE class I no longer can enjoy the "tuition discount" offered by UofA South for ALL my classes. As a non-traditional student UofA South appealed to my schedule and pocketbook. Now all that is out the window and discouragement is again setting in. I can see paying Main Campus fees for main campus classes, but don't penalize me financially for my entire education. Would you support reviewing this policy?